Circuits, devices and methods related to antenna tuner

ABSTRACT

Circuits, devices and methods related to antenna tuner. In some embodiments, an antenna can be tuned by amplifying a signal for transmission by operating a transistor with a base current, and monitoring the base current. The method can further include adjusting an antenna tuner to thereby adjust an antenna load impedance presented to the amplified signal, with the adjustment being based on a variation of the monitored base current.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/370,920 filed Mar. 30, 2019, entitled ANTENNA IMPEDANCE PREDICTIONVIA POWER AMPLIFIER PARAMETER, which claims priority to and the benefitof the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/651,160 filedMar. 31, 2018, entitled ANTENNA IMPEDANCE PREDICTION VIA POWER AMPLIFIERPARAMETER, the benefits of the filing dates of which are hereby claimedand the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to amplifiers such as power amplifiersfor radio-frequency (RF) applications.

Description of the Related Art

In radio-frequency (RF) applications, a signal to be transmitted istypically amplified by a power amplifier. Such a power amplified signalis routed to an antenna for transmission.

For an efficient transfer of power between the power amplifier and theantenna, it is desirable to have the power amplified signal on its wayto the antenna be presented with an appropriate impedance.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a number of implementations, the present disclosurerelates to a power amplification system that includes a splitter circuitand a combiner circuit, and first and second Doherty power amplifiersimplemented in a quadrature configuration between the splitter circuitand the combiner circuit. Each Doherty power amplifier includes acarrier amplifier and a peaking amplifier. The power amplificationsystem further includes a monitoring circuit configured to measure atleast some of base currents associated with the carrier and peakingamplifiers of the first and second Doherty power amplifiers, andgenerate a signal capable of adjusting a load impedance presented to anoutput of the combiner circuit.

In some embodiments, each of the carrier and peaking amplifiers of eachDoherty power amplifier can include an input amplification stage and anoutput amplification stage, such that the at least some of the basecurrents measured by the monitoring circuit correspond to at least someof base currents associated with the output amplification stages. Eachoutput amplification stage can include a cascode arrangement of firstand second amplifying transistors, such that the at least some of thebase currents measured by the monitoring circuit correspond to at leastsome of cascode base currents associated with the second amplifyingtransistors. The first amplifying transistor can be configured as acommon emitter device, and the second amplifying transistor can beconfigured as a common base device.

In some embodiments, the at least some of the base currents measured bythe monitoring circuit can include a cascode base current of the carrieramplifier of the first Doherty power amplifier, CR0_ICSD, a cascode basecurrent of the peaking amplifier of the first Doherty power amplifier,PK0_ICSD, a cascode base current of the carrier amplifier of the secondDoherty power amplifier, CR90_ICSD, and a cascode base current of thepeaking amplifier of the second Doherty power amplifier, PK90_ICSD. Insome embodiments, the at least some of the base currents measured by themonitoring circuit can include a ratio of a cascode base current of thecarrier amplifier of the first Doherty power amplifier and a cascodebase current of the carrier amplifier of the second Doherty poweramplifier, CR0_ICSD/CR90_ICSD, and a ratio of a cascode base current ofthe peaking amplifier of the first Doherty power amplifier and a cascodebase current of the peaking amplifier of the second Doherty poweramplifier, PK0_ICSD/PK90_ICSD.

In some embodiments, the load impedance presented to the output of thecombiner circuit can include an impedance of an antenna.

In some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a radio-frequencyfront-end system that includes a power amplifier configured to amplify asignal for transmission, and including an amplifying transistorconfigured to operate with a base current. The radio-frequency front-endsystem further includes an antenna in communication with the poweramplifier and configured to support the transmission of the amplifiedsignal. The radio-frequency front-end system further includes an antennatuner implemented between the power amplifier and the antenna, andconfigured to adjust an antenna load impedance presented to the poweramplifier. The radio-frequency front-end system further includes animpedance control circuit configured to control the antenna tuner toadjust the antenna load impedance based on a variation of the basecurrent of the amplifying transistor.

In some embodiments, the radio-frequency front-end system can besubstantially free of a directional coupler between the power amplifierand the antenna.

In some embodiments, the power amplifier can include first and secondDoherty power amplifiers, with each Doherty power amplifier including acarrier amplifier and a peaking amplifier. Each of the first and secondDoherty power amplifiers can include a Doherty splitter circuit and aDoherty combiner circuit, such that the respective carrier and peakingamplifiers are electrically between the Doherty splitter circuit and theDoherty combiner circuit.

In some embodiments, the first and second Doherty power amplifiers canbe implemented in a quadrature configuration. In some embodiments, theradio-frequency front-end system can further include a quadraturesplitter circuit and a quadrature combiner circuit, such that the firstand second Doherty power amplifiers are electrically between thequadrature splitter circuit and the quadrature combiner circuit.

In some embodiments, each of the carrier and peaking amplifiers of eachDoherty power amplifier can include an input amplification stage and anoutput amplification stage, such that at least the output amplificationstage is configured to operate with the base current. Each outputamplification stage can include a cascode arrangement of a commonemitter transistor and a common base transistor, such that at least thecommon base transistor is configured to operate with the base current.

In some embodiments, the radio-frequency front-end system can furtherinclude a low-noise amplifier configured to amplify a received signal.The low-noise amplifier can be in communication with the antenna, suchthat the antenna receives and provides the received signal to thelow-noise amplifier. In some embodiments, the radio-frequency front-endsystem can further include a duplexer configured to support duplexingoperation of the power amplifier and the low-noise amplifier.

In some embodiments, the variation of the base current of the amplifyingtransistor can include a change in the base current resulting from avoltage saturation condition of the amplifying transistor.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a wirelessdevice that includes a power amplification system configured to amplifya signal for transmission, and including a splitter circuit and acombiner circuit. The power amplifier circuit further includes first andsecond Doherty power amplifiers implemented in a quadratureconfiguration between the splitter circuit and the combiner circuit,with each Doherty power amplifier including a carrier amplifier and apeaking amplifier. The power amplifier circuit further includes amonitoring circuit configured to measure at least some of base currentsassociated with the carrier and peaking amplifiers of the first andsecond Doherty power amplifiers, and generate a signal capable ofadjusting a load impedance presented to an output of the combinercircuit. The wireless device further includes an antenna incommunication with the power amplification system and configured toallow the transmission of the amplified signal, with the load impedanceincluding an impedance of the antenna.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a wirelessdevice that includes a power amplifier configured to amplify a signalfor transmission, and including an amplifying transistor configured tooperate with a base current. The wireless device further includes anantenna in communication with the power amplifier and configured tosupport the transmission of the amplified signal. The wireless devicefurther includes an antenna tuner implemented between the poweramplifier and the antenna, and configured to adjust an antenna loadimpedance presented to the power amplifier. The wireless device furtherincludes an impedance control circuit configured to control the antennatuner to adjust the antenna load impedance based on a variation of thebase current of the amplifying transistor.

According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a methodfor tuning an antenna. The method includes amplifying a signal fortransmission, with the amplifying including operating a transistor witha base current. The method further includes monitoring the base current.The method further includes adjusting an antenna tuner to thereby adjustan antenna load impedance presented to the amplified signal, with theadjusting being based on a variation of the monitored base current.

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantagesand novel features of the inventions have been described herein. It isto be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may beachieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention.Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taughtor suggested herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an antenna tuner and a bi-directional coupler that can beutilized to compensate for a poor voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR)presented by an antenna for a signal amplified by a power amplifier.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration where one or more base currents of aquadrature hybrid coupled Doherty power amplifier can be monitored topredict an impedance presented to a radio-frequency (RF) front-end by anantenna.

FIG. 3 shows a more specific example of each Doherty power amplifier ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 shows output impedance trajectories the amplifiers in thequadrature hybrid coupled Doherty configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3 .

FIG. 5 shows that in some embodiments, ratios of base currents can beutilized to monitor load impedance.

FIG. 6 shows an example ratio plotted versus load impedance on a Smithchart, for the example power amplifier of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 shows another ratio plotted versus load impedance on a Smithchart, for the example power amplifier of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 shows both of the example ratios of FIGS. 6 and 7 .

FIG. 9 shows a region of impedance values that can be presented to theexample power amplifier of FIG. 5 to keep respective base currentswithin a selected range.

FIG. 10 shows an example process that can be implemented by acontroller.

FIG. 11 shows an example front-end architecture having one or morefeatures as described herein.

FIG. 12 shows that in some embodiments, some or all of a front-endarchitecture having one or more features as described herein can beimplemented in a module.

FIG. 13 depicts an example wireless device having one or moreadvantageous features described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The headings provided herein, if any, are for convenience only and donot necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

An impedance (or VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio)) presented to aradio-frequency (RF) front end by an antenna of a wireless device (e.g.,a handset) is often not at a desired value such as 50 Ohms (or 1:1VSWR). Factors such as size constraints, metal cases, and support forwide bandwidths can make such a desired antenna impedance difficult evenunder ideal conditions. During operation of the wireless device, theVSWR presented to the RF front end can degrade further due to theproximity of the antenna to, for example, user's hand, head, and/orother objects.

A high VSWR presented to the RF front end by the antenna typically leadsto poor receive sensitivity and/or degraded transmit performance.Notable parameters that can degrade on the transmit side can includeradiated power, current consumption, and/or linearity.

To overcome the foregoing performance degradation, an antenna tuner anda bi-directional coupler can be utilized to compensate for the poor VSWRpresented by the antenna. FIG. 1 shows an example of such an approach,in which antenna tuner 20 and bi-directional coupler 22 are implementedbetween a power amplifier 14 of a front-end module 10 and an antenna 24.In the example of FIG. 1 , the front-end module 10 is shown to alsoinclude a low-noise amplifier 12 for amplification of a received signalfrom the antenna 24, and a duplexer 16 can be provided to supportduplexing operations (e.g., frequency-division duplexing).

In the example configuration of FIG. 1 , an antenna impedance can bepredicted based on a ratio of forward and reflected transmit (Tx)powers. It is noted that with a perfect match (i.e., 1:1 VSWR),reflected power=0; and with an infinite VSWR, reflected power=deliveredpower. Based on the foregoing ratio of forward and Tx powers, theantenna tuner 20 can be adjusted to minimize or reduce the reflectedpower.

Referring to the example of FIG. 1 , it is noted that the bi-directionalcoupler 22 typically has physical size and signal loss implications. Forexample, a commercially available bi-directional coupler can havedimensions of approximately 2 mm×1.25 mm, and an insertion loss ofapproximately 0.23 dB. Such an insertion loss can result in degradationof receive (Rx) sensitivity by approximately 0.23 dB and/or an additionof ˜20 mA of transmit current.

In some approaches, an antenna can be directly connected to an RFfront-end to address the antenna-impedance variation problem. In suchapproaches, there is typically no compensation for antenna VSWR, anddegradation can occur in Rx sensitivity and/or Tx performance.

In some embodiments, a current associated with an amplifying transistorof a power amplifier can be monitored and utilized to predict orestimate an impedance presented by an antenna to an RF front-end. Forexample, FIG. 2 shows a power amplifier configuration where one or morebase currents of a quadrature hybrid coupled Doherty power amplifier 100can be monitored to predict or estimate an impedance presented by anantenna coupled to an output (RFOUT) node of the power amplifier. Itwill be understood that while various examples are described herein inthe context of the quadrature hybrid coupled Doherty power amplifier,one or more features of the present disclosure can also be implementedin other types of power amplifiers. It will also be understood that oneor more features of the present disclosure can be implemented in poweramplifiers based on bipolar junction transistors, field-effecttransistors, or any combination thereof.

Referring to the example of FIG. 2 , it is noted that a number ofadvantageous features can be provided. For example, the impedance can bepredicted or estimated by use of DC parameters; thus, an RF powerdetector is not needed. In another example, a bi-directional coupler isnot needed to control an antenna tuner, thereby improving performancewith respect to insertion loss, Rx sensitivity and/or Tx power/current.

In the example of FIG. 2 , the quadrature hybrid coupled Doherty poweramplifier 100 includes two Doherty power amplifiers 112, 152 implementedin a quadrature configuration. The first Doherty power amplifier 112 isalso indicated as QUAD—0 Degree side Doherty PA, and the second Dohertypower amplifier 152 is also indicated as QUAD—90 Degree side Doherty PA.A signal at an input node (RFIN) is shown to be split into therespective quadrature signals by a splitter circuit 102, and combined bya combiner circuit 190 after amplification by the respective Dohertypower amplifiers (112, 152) to reduce the power amplifier's sensitivityto mismatch. More particularly, the input signal is shown to be split bythe splitter circuit 102 to provide a first split signal to a firstinput path 110 for the first Doherty power amplifier 112, and to providea second split signal to a second input path 150 for the second Dohertypower amplifier 152.

The amplified signal from the first Doherty power amplifier 112 is shownto be provided to a first output path 140, and the amplified signal fromthe second Doherty power amplifier 152 is shown to be provided to afirst output path 180. The first and second amplified signals of thefirst and second output paths 140, 180 are shown to be combined by thecombiner circuit 190 and provide an output signal at the output nodeRFOUT.

Referring to FIG. 2 , each of the first and second Doherty poweramplifiers 112, 152 includes a carrier amplifier (CR) and a peakingamplifier (PK). More particularly, the first quadrature input signalassociated with the first input path 110 is shown to be split into acarrier amplification path 120 and a peaking amplification path 130, bya splitter circuit 114. The carrier amplification path 120 can includeone or more carrier amplification stages. For example, an input stage122 and an output stage 124 can be provided for the carrieramplification path 120. Similarly, the peaking amplification path 130can include one or more peaking amplification stages. For example, aninput stage 132 and an output stage 134 can be provided for the peakingamplification path 130.

Similarly, and referring to the example of FIG. 2 , the secondquadrature input signal associated with the first input path 150 isshown to be split into a carrier amplification path 160 and a peakingamplification path 170, by a splitter circuit 154. The carrieramplification path 160 can include one or more carrier amplificationstages. For example, an input stage 162 and an output stage 164 can beprovided for the carrier amplification path 160. Similarly, the peakingamplification path 170 can include one or more peaking amplificationstages. For example, an input stage 172 and an output stage 174 can beprovided for the peaking amplification path 170.

Accordingly, base currents associated with the amplification stages caninclude: (1) Carrier—90 degree side base current (“CR90_ICSD”)associated with the amplification stage 164, (2) Peaking—90 degree sidebase current (“CR90_ICSD”) associated with the amplification stage 174,(3) Carrier—0 degree side base current (“CR0_ICSD”) associated with theamplification stage 124, and (4) Peaking—0 degree side base current(“CR0_ICSD”) associated with the amplification stage 134.

FIG. 3 shows a more specific example of each Doherty power amplifier(112 or 152) of FIG. 2 . Accordingly, input (RFIN) and output (RFOUT)nodes are at the input and output portions of the respective rectangle(QUAD—0 Degree side Doherty PA or QUAD—90 Degree side Doherty PA) inFIG. 2 .

In the example of FIG. 3 , a splitter circuit (114 or 154), a carriersignal path (120 or 160), a peaking signal path (130 or 170), a carrierinput stage (122 or 162), a peaking input stage (132 or 172), a carrieroutput stage (124 or 164), a peaking output stage (134 or 174), and acombined signal path (140 or 180) can correspond to respective parts ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 shows that in some embodiments, the carrier input stage (122 or162) can include an amplifying transistor 200 configured to receive aninput signal through its base and generate an amplified signal throughits collector. Such an amplifying transistor can be provided with, forexample, Class AB bias signal to the base. Similarly, the peaking inputstage (132 or 172) can include an amplifying transistor 210 configuredto receive an input signal through its base and generate an amplifiedsignal through its collector. Such an amplifying transistor can beprovided with, for example, Class AB bias signal to the base.

FIG. 3 also shows that in some embodiments, the carrier output stage(124 or 164) can include a cascode arrangement of amplifying transistors202, 204. The amplifying transistor 202 can be configured as a commonemitter so as to receive an input signal through its base and provide anamplified signal through its collector. The amplifying transistor 204can be configured as a common base so as to receive an input signal fromthe collector of the transistor 202 through its emitter and provide anamplified signal through its collector.

In some embodiments, the common emitter transistor 202 can be providedwith, for example, Class AB bias signal to its base. In someembodiments, the common base transistor 204 can have associated with ita cascode base current. In FIG. 3 , such a cascode base current isindicated as “Carrier ICSD” and can be the base current CR0 ICSD or CR90ICSD in FIG. 2

Similarly, in some embodiments, the peaking output stage (134 or 174)can include a cascode arrangement of amplifying transistors 212, 214.The amplifying transistor 212 can be configured as a common emitter soas to receive an input signal through its base and provide an amplifiedsignal through its collector. The amplifying transistor 214 can beconfigured as a common base so as to receive an input signal from thecollector of the transistor 212 through its emitter and provide anamplified signal through its collector.

In some embodiments, the common emitter transistor 212 can be providedwith, for example, Class C bias signal to its base. In some embodiments,the common base transistor 214 can have associated with it a cascodebase current. In FIG. 3 , such a cascode base current is indicated as“Peaking ICSD” and can be the base current PK0 ICSD or PK90 ICSD in FIG.2 .

In the example of FIG. 3 , an output combiner that provides appropriatecharacteristic impedance and phase shift can be formed by a pi networkhaving C_(INV), L_(INV), C_(INV).

FIG. 4 shows output impedance trajectories of each amplifier in thequadrature hybrid coupled Doherty amplifier 100 of FIGS. 2 and 3 . Theexample plots are with a constant VSWR=1.5:1 presented to the outputport of the power amplifier. Each impedance trajectory corresponds to aunique phase angle.

From the examples of FIG. 4 , one can see that the quadrature hybridcoupler forces the amplifiers on the 0 degree side to be on oppositesides of the Smith chart as the amplifiers on the 90 degree side. Thestar-highlighted portions on the Smith charts show that when the peakingamplifier sees a high impedance on the 90 degree side, the peakingamplifier sees a low impedance on the 0 degree side. For the carrieramplifiers, when the carrier amplifier sees a high impedance on the 0degree side, the carrier amplifier sees a low impedance on the 90 degreeside.

It is noted that an amplifier that is presented with a higher impedancewill be closer to a voltage saturation condition. As an amplifierapproaches voltage saturation, its β (beta) parameter (Ic/Ib) degradesand the DC base current rapidly increases. Thus, by monitoring the DCbase currents one can tell if the load is impedance matched (e.g.,approximately 50 Ohms) or mismatched.

In the context of the example of FIG. 2 , if PK90_ICSD=PK0_ICSD andCR90_ICSD=CR0_ICSD, then the base currents are approximately equal,indicating that the power amplifier 100 is driving an impedance matched(e.g., 50 Ohm) load. If the power amplifier 100 is mismatched with theload, the amplifier that sees a higher load impedance will be closer tovoltage saturation and will draw more base current. For example, ifPK90_ICSD>PK0_ICSD, then PK90 sees a higher load impedance. IfCR90_ICSD>CR0_ICSD, then CR90 sees a higher load impedance.

Based on the foregoing examples of base currents, one can see that oneor more base currents, or combinations thereof (e.g., ratios of basecurrents) can be utilized to monitor load impedance. Thus, FIG. 5 showsthat in some embodiments, a base current monitor 220 can be provided forthe power amplifier 100. In some embodiments, such a base currentmonitor can be part of the power amplifier 100, be a separate circuit incommunication with the power amplifier 100, or some combination thereof.In the example of FIG. 5 , the first and second Doherty amplifiers 112,152 and the related input and output configurations can be similar tothe example of FIG. 2 . In the example of FIG. 5 , ratiosCR90_ICSD/CR0_ICSD and PK90_ICSD/PK0_ICSD can be utilized to monitorload impedance. It will be understood that other base current(s) and/orcombinations thereof can be utilized to monitor load impedance.

FIG. 6 shows a ratio of PK90_ICSD/PK0_ICSD plotted versus load impedanceon a Smith chart, for the example power amplifier 100 of FIG. 5 . Theupper right shaded area corresponds to a condition wherePK90_ICSD>PK0_ICSD, and the lower left shaded area corresponds to acondition where PK90_ICSD<PK0_ICSD. The curve separating the foregoingtwo areas corresponds to a condition where PK90_ICSD=PK0_ICSD.

FIG. 7 shows the ratio of CR90_ICSD/CR0_ICSD plotted versus loadimpedance on a Smith chart. The lower shaded area corresponds to acondition where CR90_ICSD>CR0_ICSD, and the upper shaded areacorresponds to a condition where CR90_ICSD<CR0_ICSD. The curveseparating the foregoing two areas corresponds to a condition whereCR90_ICSD=CR0_ICSD.

FIG. 8 shows both of the ratios of PK90_ICSD/PK0_ICSD (similar to theexample of FIG. 6 ) and CR90_ICSD/CR0_ICSD (similar to the example ofFIG. 7 ). Thus, one can see that by monitoring these two ratioparameters (CR90_ICSD/CR0_ICSD and PK90_ICSD/PK0_ICSD), the outputimpedance can be identified on a Smith chart.

FIG. 9 shows a region of impedance values that can be presented to theexample power amplifier 100 of FIG. 5 to keep respective base currents(e.g., PK0,PK90 and CR0,CR90) within a selected range (e.g., within 10%of each other). In the example of FIG. 9 , a 3:1 load VSWR can bereduced to the indicated region.

In some embodiments, if the monitored base currents indicate that theload impedance is outside of the desired impedance region (e.g., ifeither or both of the respective base currents PK0,PK90 and CR0,CR90differ greater than 10%), then the load impedance (e.g., antennaimpedance) presented to the power amplifier can be adjusted to provide adesired value (e.g., within the desired impedance region).

FIG. 10 shows a process 300 that can be implemented by, for example, acontroller associated with operation of a power amplifier. In block 302,information representative of base currents of a power amplifier can beobtained. In some embodiments, such information can correspond toindividual base currents or combinations of base currents (e.g., ratiosof base currents).

In block 304, the process 300 can determine whether load impedancepresented to the power amplifier should be adjusted. As describedherein, such a determination can be based on deviation of basecurrent-information from a desired range, deviation of impedancecorresponding to the base current-information from a desired range, orany combination thereof.

Accordingly, if the answer is Yes in a decision block 306, the process300 can generate a control signal in block 308 to adjust the loadimpedance presented to the power amplifier. In some embodiments, such acontrol signal can be, for example, a MIPI or MIPI-based control signal.

FIG. 11 shows an example front-end architecture 400 having one or morefeatures as described herein. A front-end module 402 having a poweramplifier 100 for transmit operation and a low-noise amplifier 404 forreceive operation is shown to be coupled to an antenna 410 configured tosupport transmit and receive operations. The front-end module 402 canalso include a duplexer 406 configured to support duplexing operation(e.g., frequency-division duplexing operation). In the example of FIG.11 , an antenna tuner 408 is shown to be provided between the front-endmodule 402 and the antenna 408.

As described herein, base currents associated with the power amplifier100 can be monitored, and based on such base currents, impedancepresented by the antenna 410 to the power amplifier 100 can be adjusted.In some embodiments, such adjustment of impedance can be provided by theantenna tuner 408. In the example of FIG. 11 , such an impedanceadjustment can be provided by or supported by a controller 220.

FIG. 11 also shows that in some embodiments, the transmit path betweenthe power amplifier 100 and the antenna 410 can be free of a directionalcoupler (e.g., 22 in FIG. 1 ). As described herein, impedance adjustmentfunctionality can be provided by monitoring of base currents in thepower amplifier 100.

FIG. 12 shows that in some embodiments, some or all of a front-endarchitecture having one or more features as described herein can beimplemented in a module. Such a module can be, for example, a front-endmodule (FEM). In the example of FIG. 12 , a module 500 can include apackaging substrate 502, and a number of components can be mounted onsuch a packaging substrate. For example, a control component 220, apower amplifier assembly 100, an antenna tuner component 408, and aduplexer assembly 406 can be mounted and/or implemented on and/or withinthe packaging substrate 502. Other components such as a number of SMTdevices 504 and an antenna switch module (ASM) 506 can also be mountedon the packaging substrate 502. Although all of the various componentsare depicted as being laid out on the packaging substrate 502, it willbe understood that some component(s) can be implemented over othercomponent(s).

In some implementations, a device and/or a circuit having one or morefeatures described herein can be included in an RF device such as awireless device. Such a device and/or a circuit can be implementeddirectly in the wireless device, in a modular form as described herein,or in some combination thereof. In some embodiments, such a wirelessdevice can include, for example, a cellular phone, a smart-phone, ahand-held wireless device with or without phone functionality, awireless tablet, etc.

FIG. 13 depicts an example wireless device 600 having one or moreadvantageous features described herein. In the context of a modulehaving one or more features as described herein, such a module can begenerally depicted by a dashed box 402, and can be implemented as, forexample, a front-end module (FEM).

Referring to FIG. 13 , power amplifiers (PAs) 100 can receive theirrespective RF signals from a transceiver 610 that can be configured andoperated in known manners to generate RF signals to be amplified andtransmitted, and to process received signals. The transceiver 610 isshown to interact with a baseband sub-system 608 that is configured toprovide conversion between data and/or voice signals suitable for a userand RF signals suitable for the transceiver 610. The transceiver 610 canalso be in communication with a power management component 606 that isconfigured to manage power for the operation of the wireless device 600.Such power management can also control operations of the basebandsub-system 608 and the module 402.

The baseband sub-system 608 is shown to be connected to a user interface602 to facilitate various input and output of voice and/or data providedto and received from the user. The baseband sub-system 608 can also beconnected to a memory 604 that is configured to store data and/orinstructions to facilitate the operation of the wireless device, and/orto provide storage of information for the user.

In the example wireless device 600, outputs of the PAs 100 are shown tobe routed to their respective duplexers 406. Such amplified and filteredsignals can be routed to an antenna 616 through an antenna switch 614for transmission. In some embodiments, the duplexers 406 can allowtransmit and receive operations to be performed simultaneously using acommon antenna (e.g., 616). In FIG. 13 , received signals are shown tobe routed to “Rx” paths (not shown) that can include, for example, alow-noise amplifier (LNA).

As described herein, one or more features of the present disclosure canprovide a number of advantages when implemented in systems such as thoseinvolving the wireless device of FIG. 13 . For example, a controller220, which may or may not be part of the module 402, can monitor basecurrents associated with at least some of the power amplifiers 100.Based on such monitored base currents, an antenna tuner 408 (which mayor may not be part of the module 402), can be adjusted to provide adesired impedance to the corresponding power amplifier.

The present disclosure describes various features, no single one ofwhich is solely responsible for the benefits described herein. It willbe understood that various features described herein may be combined,modified, or omitted, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill.Other combinations and sub-combinations than those specificallydescribed herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill, and areintended to form a part of this disclosure. Various methods aredescribed herein in connection with various flowchart steps and/orphases. It will be understood that in many cases, certain steps and/orphases may be combined together such that multiple steps and/or phasesshown in the flowcharts can be performed as a single step and/or phase.Also, certain steps and/or phases can be broken into additionalsub-components to be performed separately. In some instances, the orderof the steps and/or phases can be rearranged and certain steps and/orphases may be omitted entirely. Also, the methods described herein areto be understood to be open-ended, such that additional steps and/orphases to those shown and described herein can also be performed.

Some aspects of the systems and methods described herein canadvantageously be implemented using, for example, computer software,hardware, firmware, or any combination of computer software, hardware,and firmware. Computer software can comprise computer executable codestored in a computer readable medium (e.g., non-transitory computerreadable medium) that, when executed, performs the functions describedherein. In some embodiments, computer-executable code is executed by oneor more general purpose computer processors. A skilled artisan willappreciate, in light of this disclosure, that any feature or functionthat can be implemented using software to be executed on a generalpurpose computer can also be implemented using a different combinationof hardware, software, or firmware. For example, such a module can beimplemented completely in hardware using a combination of integratedcircuits. Alternatively or additionally, such a feature or function canbe implemented completely or partially using specialized computersdesigned to perform the particular functions described herein ratherthan by general purpose computers.

Multiple distributed computing devices can be substituted for any onecomputing device described herein. In such distributed embodiments, thefunctions of the one computing device are distributed (e.g., over anetwork) such that some functions are performed on each of thedistributed computing devices.

Some embodiments may be described with reference to equations,algorithms, and/or flowchart illustrations. These methods may beimplemented using computer program instructions executable on one ormore computers. These methods may also be implemented as computerprogram products either separately, or as a component of an apparatus orsystem. In this regard, each equation, algorithm, block, or step of aflowchart, and combinations thereof, may be implemented by hardware,firmware, and/or software including one or more computer programinstructions embodied in computer-readable program code logic. As willbe appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loadedonto one or more computers, including without limitation a generalpurpose computer or special purpose computer, or other programmableprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computerprogram instructions which execute on the computer(s) or otherprogrammable processing device(s) implement the functions specified inthe equations, algorithms, and/or flowcharts. It will also be understoodthat each equation, algorithm, and/or block in flowchart illustrations,and combinations thereof, may be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer-readableprogram code logic means.

Furthermore, computer program instructions, such as embodied incomputer-readable program code logic, may also be stored in a computerreadable memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium) thatcan direct one or more computers or other programmable processingdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructionsstored in the computer-readable memory implement the function(s)specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s). The computer programinstructions may also be loaded onto one or more computers or otherprogrammable computing devices to cause a series of operational steps tobe performed on the one or more computers or other programmablecomputing devices to produce a computer-implemented process such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmableprocessing apparatus provide steps for implementing the functionsspecified in the equation(s), algorithm(s), and/or block(s) of theflowchart(s).

Some or all of the methods and tasks described herein may be performedand fully automated by a computer system. The computer system may, insome cases, include multiple distinct computers or computing devices(e.g., physical servers, workstations, storage arrays, etc.) thatcommunicate and interoperate over a network to perform the describedfunctions. Each such computing device typically includes a processor (ormultiple processors) that executes program instructions or modulesstored in a memory or other non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium or device. The various functions disclosed herein may be embodiedin such program instructions, although some or all of the disclosedfunctions may alternatively be implemented in application-specificcircuitry (e.g., ASICs or FPGAs) of the computer system. Where thecomputer system includes multiple computing devices, these devices may,but need not, be co-located. The results of the disclosed methods andtasks may be persistently stored by transforming physical storagedevices, such as solid state memory chips and/or magnetic disks, into adifferent state.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled”, as generally usedherein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directlyconnected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Wherethe context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using thesingular or plural number may also include the plural or singular numberrespectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items,that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: anyof the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and anycombination of the items in the list. The word “exemplary” is usedexclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherimplementations.

The disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementationsshown herein. Various modifications to the implementations described inthis disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, andthe generic principles defined herein may be applied to otherimplementations without departing from the spirit or scope of thisdisclosure. The teachings of the invention provided herein can beapplied to other methods and systems, and are not limited to the methodsand systems described above, and elements and acts of the variousembodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments. Accordingly, the novel methods and systems described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods andsystems described herein may be made without departing from the spiritof the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents areintended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for tuning an antenna, the methodcomprising: amplifying a signal for transmission, the amplifyingincluding splitting the signal into first and second Doherty poweramplifiers, each Doherty power amplifier including an inputamplification stage and an output amplification stage, the amplifyingfurther including operating each output amplification stage with arespective base current; monitoring the base current of at least one ofthe output amplification stages of the first and second Doherty poweramplifiers; and adjusting an antenna tuner to thereby adjust an antennaload impedance presented to the amplified signal, the adjusting based ona variation of the monitored base current.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein each output amplification stage includes a cascode arrangementof first and second amplifying transistors, such that the monitoring ofthe base current includes monitoring of a cascode base current of atleast one of the second amplifying transistors.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein the amplifying further includes combining outputs of the firstand second Doherty power amplifiers to provide the amplified signal. 4.The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second Doherty poweramplifiers are implemented in a quadrature configuration.
 5. A methodfor operating a radio-frequency front-end, the method comprising:amplifying a signal for transmission, the amplifying including splittingthe signal into first and second Doherty power amplifiers, each Dohertypower amplifier including an input amplification stage and an outputamplification stage, the amplifying further including operating eachoutput amplification stage with a respective base current; monitoringthe base current of at least one of the output amplification stages ofthe first and second Doherty power amplifiers; routing the amplifiedsignal to an antenna; and adjusting a load impedance of the antennapresented to the amplified signal, the adjusting based on a variation ofthe monitored base current.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprisingamplifying a received signal.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein theamplifying of the received signal includes amplifying the receivedsignal with a low-noise amplifier.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein theadjusting is performed by an antenna tuner implemented between anamplifier performing the amplifying and the antenna.
 9. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the radio-frequency front-end is substantially free of adirectional coupler between the amplifier and the antenna.
 10. Themethod of claim 5 wherein the variation of the base current of theamplifying transistor includes a change in the base current resultingfrom a voltage saturation condition of the respective outputamplification stage.
 11. A method for operating a wireless device, themethod comprising: amplifying a signal for transmission, the amplifyingincluding splitting the signal into first and second Doherty poweramplifiers, each Doherty power amplifier including an inputamplification stage and an output amplification stage, the amplifyingfurther including operating each output amplification stage with arespective base current; monitoring the base current of at least one ofthe output amplification stages of the first and second Doherty poweramplifiers; routing the amplified signal to an antenna; adjusting a loadimpedance of the antenna presented to the amplified signal, theadjusting based on a variation of the monitored base current; andamplifying a received signal.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein theamplifying of the received signal includes amplifying the receivedsignal with a low-noise amplifier.
 13. The method of claim 12 whereinthe received signal is received through the antenna.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 wherein at least some of the amplifying of the signal fortransmission and the amplifying of the received signal are performed ina duplexing operation.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjustingof the antenna tuner is achieved without use of a directional coupler.16. The method of claim 5 wherein each output amplification stageincludes a cascode arrangement of first and second amplifyingtransistors, such that the monitoring of the base current includesmonitoring of a cascode base current of at least one of the secondamplifying transistors.
 17. The method of claim 5 wherein the amplifyingfurther includes combining outputs of the first and second Doherty poweramplifiers to provide the amplified signal.
 18. The method of claim 11wherein each output amplification stage includes a cascode arrangementof first and second amplifying transistors, such that the monitoring ofthe base current includes monitoring of a cascode base current of atleast one of the second amplifying transistors.
 19. The method of claim11 wherein the amplifying further includes combining outputs of thefirst and second Doherty power amplifiers to provide the amplifiedsignal.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein the wireless device issubstantially free of a directional coupler between each Doherty poweramplifier and the antenna.